View more News
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Sixth Form student Thorrun Govind experienced what it is like to
be one of the most powerful people in the country, with a once in a
lifetime opportunity to shadow a Government Minister.
Thorrun went to London to work shadow Maria Eagle, Minister of
State at the Government Equalities Office and the Ministry of
Justice. After applying for the Ministerial Shadowing programme in
July last year, Thorrun was one of 480 young people aged 13 to 19
chosen by 'The Youth of Today' to spend the day with a Government
Minister, giving her the chance to go where they go, see what they
see and do what they do. Thorrun was matched up with Maria Eagle
for the day, where she got to meet key players from business and
politics, gain an insight into what a Minister does, how Government
departments work and what it takes to be a leader.
The shadowing scheme is co-ordinated by the UK Youth Parliament,
as part of 'The Youth of Today', a youth led programme designed to
create and offer opportunities for young people to develop the
skills needed to become leaders of the future.
On the day, Thorrun got to visit the Ministry of Justice,
and the Houses of Parliament where she got to watch Maria Eagle in
action at Ministerial Question Time. She also had the opportunity
to talk to members of the press office and Maria Eagles private
office reinforcing topics she studied in AS Government and Politics
lessons in school. She found out how the Minister's office works,
how her diary is managed, and how press quotes are organised.
Thorrun's interest in media and politics was sparked by a
trip to Downing Street to interview Gordon Brown
for Children's BBC current affairs show Newsround in 2006, and
she is hoping to gain further work experience in politics
media.
Thorrun said: ''The trip was a great experience as it
brought to life the politics I had studied at AS, particularly the
visit to the Minister's Private Office in the Ministry of
Justice to find out how ministers are held to account. I felt
privileged to attend Ministerial Questions in the Commons which
even wider members of the Minister's staff had not attended. I am
very grateful to Maria for giving up her time to include me in her
day and I can now appreciate just how busy a Minister's
working week is.''
Bookmark with: